Beauty

Beauty

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

I PUT MY SWIMSUIT ON, headed out to the pool, and decided to show my kids how a cannonball is truly done. Over the next hour we played tag, saw who could swim the farthest without touching bottom, and took turns on the floaties. As I threw my son in the air for what felt like the hundredth time, something that never gets old to him, he giggled with laughter and then exclaimed, “Mom, you’re so cute!”

My immediate response was to deny his compliment, but I caught myself and just smiled, pushing my wet hair off my face, any remnant of makeup long gone. I thought about what I must look like at that moment. What I thought I looked like, anyway, realizing what he sees is much different than what I see.

The next day as I pondered our pool time, I was reminded of a picture of my mom taken years ago on the banks of Lake Superior. In the photo, she’s emerging from the frigid water, head back, laughing. A peculiar sight since my mom rarely went more than wading. And I remember thinking at the time how striking my mother looked. To my young eyes she glowed, big hair and all.

My children may never remember my sense of style. But they will remember the times I laughed with them, rode bikes, and cannonballed in the pool. They may not care what size my jeans were, but it’ll matter that I listened to them, comforted them when they cried, and cheered them on in their successes.

Beauty is not just an outward look or style; it is an attitude we express. And what others “see” is the beauty expressed through our kindness, love, and sometimes even our silliness. It is our ability to be comfortable with who we are that is so attractive to those around us. Which in turn, allows them to be comfortable in who they are. Our external beauty or charm may fade, but when we follow the ways of Jesus by loving others, our inner beauty will always shine through.

Lord, help us to remember the beauty that lasts and let go of what does not. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Send a note or text to someone whose inner beauty has been a blessing to you.